Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Story
January 25, 1869
Vermont Daily Transcript
Saint Albans, Franklin County, Vermont
What is this article about?
In fall 1862, Ohio Governor Tod courteously handles business with soldiers in Columbus, then sharply rebukes a cowardly officer seeking promotion while absent from his regiment, praising the 40,000 Ohio troops at the front.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Story of the War Governor Tod.
In the fall of 1862, having some business with Gov. Tod in regard to recruiting, I, in company with other privates and non-commissioned officers, called upon him at Columbus. I had never before seen him. On entering the room he bowed politely, and motioned us to seats. There were several colonels, majors, and other officers present. The Governor walked from one to the other, briefly but kindly attending to the business each had to present. Now he would be talking to a colonel, then to a private. The same courtesy marked his demeanor to both. Presently the door swung open, and a tall, fine looking officer, dressed in military style, with his blue cap thrown back, and his sword dangling at his side, strode in and stepped grandly up to the Governor while he was talking to me and another private. The officer looked down with marked and manifest contempt upon our plain blouses. Not so the Governor, however, as we shall see.
"Governor," said he, "do you recollect me?"
"Yes," answered the Governor dryly "I remember you perfectly well," and smiled contemptuously.
"Well, sir," continued the airy officer, "has my commission been made out yet?"
The Governor turned upon him such a look as I never can forget; and answered his question by asking the most stinging question that could be addressed to a soldier in those critical times:
"Why are you not with your regiment? It will be time enough for you to ask promotion when you return to your duty in the field, sir."
At this the windy and swollen poltroon, whimpered "somethin' about being too sick to travel, and growled out something about being overlooked too long on the list of promotion, and intimated that the Governor had not done him justice.
"Promote you, sir! you are a coward, and do not deserve it." I know you too well. You ought to be cashiered and dismissed in disgrace, and if you don't report at the front pretty soon, I will see that you are dismissed. Go, sir; I want to see no more of you. There are 40,000 men from Ohio, better men than you, at the front, to-day, bearing muskets."
The fellow left. The Governor smiled, while the "boys" cheered and laughed till the room echoed with the applause of the privates of the army.-A Late Officer.
In the fall of 1862, having some business with Gov. Tod in regard to recruiting, I, in company with other privates and non-commissioned officers, called upon him at Columbus. I had never before seen him. On entering the room he bowed politely, and motioned us to seats. There were several colonels, majors, and other officers present. The Governor walked from one to the other, briefly but kindly attending to the business each had to present. Now he would be talking to a colonel, then to a private. The same courtesy marked his demeanor to both. Presently the door swung open, and a tall, fine looking officer, dressed in military style, with his blue cap thrown back, and his sword dangling at his side, strode in and stepped grandly up to the Governor while he was talking to me and another private. The officer looked down with marked and manifest contempt upon our plain blouses. Not so the Governor, however, as we shall see.
"Governor," said he, "do you recollect me?"
"Yes," answered the Governor dryly "I remember you perfectly well," and smiled contemptuously.
"Well, sir," continued the airy officer, "has my commission been made out yet?"
The Governor turned upon him such a look as I never can forget; and answered his question by asking the most stinging question that could be addressed to a soldier in those critical times:
"Why are you not with your regiment? It will be time enough for you to ask promotion when you return to your duty in the field, sir."
At this the windy and swollen poltroon, whimpered "somethin' about being too sick to travel, and growled out something about being overlooked too long on the list of promotion, and intimated that the Governor had not done him justice.
"Promote you, sir! you are a coward, and do not deserve it." I know you too well. You ought to be cashiered and dismissed in disgrace, and if you don't report at the front pretty soon, I will see that you are dismissed. Go, sir; I want to see no more of you. There are 40,000 men from Ohio, better men than you, at the front, to-day, bearing muskets."
The fellow left. The Governor smiled, while the "boys" cheered and laughed till the room echoed with the applause of the privates of the army.-A Late Officer.
What sub-type of article is it?
Biography
Historical Event
Heroic Act
What themes does it cover?
Bravery Heroism
Justice
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Governor Tod
Civil War
Officer Rebuke
Military Duty
Ohio Troops
Promotion Denial
Cowardice
What entities or persons were involved?
Gov. Tod
Airy Officer
Narrator
Where did it happen?
Columbus
Story Details
Key Persons
Gov. Tod
Airy Officer
Narrator
Location
Columbus
Event Date
Fall Of 1862
Story Details
Narrator visits Governor Tod in Columbus for recruiting business; Tod treats all ranks courteously. An officer interrupts seeking promotion; Tod rebukes him as a coward absent from duty, threatens dismissal, and praises Ohio troops at the front. Soldiers applaud.